Composite railroad crosstie or sleeper for supporting the rails of a railroad track



- MILLER COMPOSITE RAILROAD CROSSTIE OH SLEEPER FOR SUPPORTING THE RAILS OF A RAILROAD TRACK Filed March 31; 1924 v INVENTOR WITNESSES! I 2L4@%M A TTORNEY I Patented flee. 2, 1924.

I UNITED STTES HENRY MILLER, (31F LQUIS, MISSOURI.

ooivrroslrn RAILROAD GRQSSTIE on. snnnrnn FOR sUrroa-TING THE RAILS or A.

RAILROAD TRACK.

Application file March 31, 192

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, HENRY MILLER, a citi Zen of the United States, residing at St.

Louis, in the State of Missouri, have invented a new and useful Composite Railroad Crosstie or Sleeper for Supporting the Rails of a Railroad Track, of which the following is a specification, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The object of my invention is to construct a strong, substantial railroad cross tie out of railroad rails, and particularly to use such rails as have been discarded as running rails.

The method of construction is new and novel consisting of two pieces of rail of suitable length properly secured together with a concrete or concrete like filler placed in the space between the rails and with suitable track fastenings for securing the running rails of the track, constitutes the essence of this invention, and provides a wide area of bearing for both the rail and ballast 25 forming an indestructible substitute for wooden ties.

This form of sleeper, made of rails which experience has demonstrated is the ideal section for strength and durability, will afford superior support for the rail.

These sleepers, fastened to the rail with two or more bolts and clips on each end, will keep the track to gauge and solidify the roadbed.

My invention is illustrated on the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation, Fig. 2 is a top plan view, and Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view showing the two rails in juxtaposition with the transverse bolt and concrete filler. Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views. In the construction of this composite railroad cross tie I employ two suitable lengths of the usual form of railroad rails and preferably those which have served their purpose as running rails, commonly known as scrap rail and are therefore economical of manufacture. Two such lengths are indicated on the drawing by Figures 1 and 1*; these rails are perforated with holes 2, arranged oppositely in the two rails as shown particularly in Fig. 3 for the reception of the transverse bolt 9, secured firmly in place by nut 10. Over the bolt 9 Serial No. 703,273.

is placed a suitable spacing sleeve 11, such as a piece of gas pipe; this construction rigidly holds the rails together. To also in crease the strength, rigidity and durability of this cross tie I fill the space between the parallel rails with a concrete or concrete like mixture 13, as shown in Fig. 3; when this mixture, which is applied in plastic form, has thoroughly set and hardened, the composite tie thus constituted, is ready for the application of the rail clips 6, Figs. 1 and 2. For the placing of these clips suitable holes 3, Fig. 1, are drilled near the outer part of the base of the rails 1 and 1, properly spaced longitudinally so that the running rails 12 and 12, Figs. 1 and 2, will be held at the proper distance apart. The clips 6, Figs. 1 and 2, are firmly held in place by bolts 5, with heads 5*, nuts 8, beveled washers 4, and washers 7, all as clearly shown on the drawing.

The large area of bearing and substantial qualities of the device will enable a 40%, or more, reduction in the number of ties required to support the track, tie plates are eliminated and being practically indestructible and of long life makes the frequent disturbance of the roadbed unnecessary, resulting in greater safety in operation and a saving in cost of maintenance in both labor and material.

These sleepers may be installed singly or in series interspersed with the standard ties in use.

I do not wish to confine myself to the particular use of bolts as illustrated for holding the parallel pieces of rail together, as rivets or welded stays could be substituted with equal eifectiveness, and any suitable number and kind of rail clips may also be used instead of the type shown and described.

Having fully described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A composite tie composed of two inverted sections of track rails provided with holes through their webs, and arranged parallel to each other, a spacing sleeve located between the webs of said sections, a bolt located in the holes of the rail sections and in said spacing sleeve, and a body of concrete located in the space between said sections and completely filling the same and surrounding said sleeve and bolt.

2. A composite tie composed of two in- With the lower surface of the balls of the verted sections of track rails provided with rail sections. holes through their Webs, arranged parallel In Witness whereof, I have aliixed my sigand having their adjacent base flanges in nature in the presence of two subscribing 5 contact, spacing sleeves located between said Witnesses.

sections, bolts located in the holes of the Webs and in said sleeves, a body of concrete HENRY MILLER. located in the space between said sections lVitnesses: and completely filling the same surrounding FRED DUENoKnL,

10 said bolts and sleeves and extending flush MAYO S. KEATOR. 

